 |
Home | Mission Statement | Video Gallery | Audio Gallery | Photo Gallery | Daily Manna | Testimonies | | Links | Contact us |
 |
For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
 |
| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Thursday, October 3, 2024
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Judas Betrays Jesus Bible Verse:John 18:1-11 (ESV) "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”" Message:
The scene described here, and Jesus’ forthcoming trial, demonstrate the odd relationship of a Roman client state with Rome itself. It is not the Romans who seek to arrest Jesus; it is the “chief priests and the Pharisees.” But they use Roman soldiers. These religious leaders are not even the Jewish governor of Judea, Herod, but leaders of the temple. And with obvious hypocrisy, they send others to do their dirty work, for they are forbidden to shed blood. Moreover, the Romans are happy to supply the armed police force, which obviates the need for an armed Hebrew guard under Jewish control inside the gates of Jerusalem.
So Jesus said to Peter,
“Put your sword into its sheath.” “Put your sword into its sheath.” The account in John differs from the account in the Synoptic Gospels. Mark 14, for example, gives us the famous account that Judas identified Jesus to the soldiers with a kiss, whereas John tells us that Jesus gave himself up. The accounts are easy to reconcile, but it is interesting to see how different eyewitnesses remember different details. (In fact, as any lawyer will tell you, truthful eyewitnesses will always differ somewhat in the accounts they give; in fact, such differences are a hallmark of truthfulness.) Peter attempts to fight them. He attacks one of the company with a sword and succeeds in cutting off his ear. Peter’s action illustrates a recurring tension between Christ’s teachings and the actions of those who try to follow them. The Jews who expected a Messiah for centuries before, and the Christians who have followed for centuries since, have found it nearly impossible to absorb Christ’s message of peace. Even Peter, Jesus’ closest and most trusted disciple, pulls his sword to protect Christ. It is a harbinger of centuries of “holy” wars fought, ironically, in the name of the King of Peace. We should not be surprised — saddened, but not surprised — that the Christians to follow would fall prey to the temptation of violence, if one as holy as St. Peter himself could not resist. Meditation : Prayer : Let me not forget my prayers as I go out into the world. Holy Spirit, be with me, and let me praise you and remember you in my every action and thought, for the entire day long. In Christ’s name I ask this,............Amen |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
